SIBELIA EL-IBRAHIM

Manbij- The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) organizes social life through communes. Communes are the smallest local authorities established in villages, towns, and cities. The members of the communes are the residents of villages, towns and cities.

Abir Muhammed, Co-chair of Al-Siddiq neighborhood of Manbij, said that the communes play an important role under the umbrella of the AANES. “The system of the AANES represents the body and soul of the system based on democratic nation. The members of the communes are the residents of villages, towns and cities. Therefore, people govern themselves and find solutions to their problems through communes.”

‘Every person is a part of the commune’

Manbij is the home of people from all nationalities and religions, including Kurdish, Arab and Turkmen people. “People from each nationality and religion have a cultural richness. They take part in communes and represent their communities. The communes consist of six committees: Education Committee, Health Committee, Self-defense Committee, Women’s Committee, Services Committee, Justice Committee and Reconciliation Committee.”

Communes have different duties

Speaking about the roles of the communes, Abir Muhammed said, “Communes represent the people and find solutions to problems faced by the residents. For instance, the Reconciliation Committee deals with problems. The Services Committee is responsible for providing services to the people. The Women's Committee is responsible for solving the problems faced by women.”

‘We believe in our unity’

Kurdish, Arab and Turkmen people live together in the village of Al-Asaliyya, west of Manbij. Alia Fadel, Co-chair of the Al-Asaliyya Commune, said, “We believe in our unity because we share problems and happiness. Our village is close to the areas occupied by the Turkish state, so it is always subjected to Turkish bombardments. As Kurdish, Arab and Turkmen people, we condemn the ongoing Turkish bombardments targeting our village.”

‘We will not allow our lands to be occupied’

Talking about the cooperation among Kurdish, Arab and Turkmen people in the village, she said, “We support our sons and daughters fighting to defend our system. These lands are our lands and we are responsible for defending them. We will not allow our lands to be occupied by different countries.” Alia Fadel, who is fluent in Kurdish, Arabic and Turkmen languages, is respected by all villagers. “I am fluent in three languages, so we can understand each other.”

‘We embrace all people’

Sabah Bozan, Co-chair of the East Line Council of Manbij, said, “Our system is based on democracy and we embrace all people in communes. We make efforts to govern and serve this country. We aim to build a life based on democracy, ethics and equality.”